US processor Trident Seafoods is to invest US$41m in a new seafood processing plant in Georgia, creating 175 jobs.

The Seattle-based company is planning to develop a new facility in Carrollton, which will produce portion-controlled frozen seafood products. It will make a variety of battered, glazed, breaded, fryer- and oven-ready frozen items.

It will expand a 104,000 sq ft building previously a food production site for Chiquita Brands International by 43,000 sq ft, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Commenting on the announcement, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal said the state is the “logical” place for Trident to expand its East Coast operations.